Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546315
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 AUGUST 2026 COURT Man fined €1,200 after threatening to shoot his son, and himself with shotgun in row with partner A 48-year-old man from Birżeb- buġa has been placed under a three-year probation order and treatment order after admitting charges linked to an incident in- volving threats and an unlicensed firearm. The court also fined the man €1,200, issued a three-year re- straining order in favour of his partner and prohibited him from holding a firearms licence for five years. The case stems from an inci- dent on 22 August, when police received a report concerning an argument involving the accused and his partner. During the incident, the man al- legedly threatened to shoot him- self and the woman's son. Police were subsequently in- formed that there was a firearm in the room where the accused was staying. The weapon was al- legedly unregistered and illegally held. When police arrested the man, they found a shotgun in his pos- session. The man faced a series of charg- es, including threatening his partner, carrying a firearm with- out the necessary licence, being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and re- cidivism. He pleaded guilty to all charges. After the court gave him time to reconsider his admission, he con- firmed his guilty plea. In determining the punishment, the court took into account his early admission as well as his criminal record. It also consid- ered submissions by both the prosecution and defence, who agreed that a sentence aimed at rehabilitation should be imposed while ensuring the victim's safety. Magistrate Nadia H. Vella con- sequently placed the man under a probation order for three years and a treatment order for the same period. He was also ordered to pay a €1,200 fine, while the firearm found in his possession was con- fiscated in favour of the govern- ment. The court further prohibited him from holding a firearms li- cence for five years and issued a three-year restraining order in favour of his partner. The accused was represented by lawyers Marion Camilleri, Franco Debono and Fleur Abela. The prosecution was led by In- spector Christiana Cauchi. JAELLE BORG jborgmediatoday.com.mt Man granted bail after allegedly threatening police during Floriana road block A 43-year-old man from Valletta was granted bail on Tuesday af- ter pleading not guilty to threat- ening police officers following a road check in Floriana. The court heard during the night between 23 and 24 August, officers from the Valletta police station were carrying out a road check when they saw a vehicle enter a one-way street against the direction of traffic. Police followed and stopped the vehicle, allegedly noticing a smell of alcohol on the driver. He re- fused to take a breathalyser test and was subsequently taken to the Valletta police station. The prosecution said that while at the station, the man began in- sulting and threatening the of- ficers. "Don't set up another road- block in Floriana because I'll drive over you," he allegedly told them, before also threatening further officers. While being taken to hospital in an ambulance, he allegedly con- tinued: "If I see the police officers again, I'll take their lives." A drug test later returned neg- ative. The court was also told that while in the police lock-up, the accused said he wanted to kill himself. He was taken back to hospital for further assessment before being discharged and brought to court. The man, who works as a dish- washer in a pizzeria, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The de- fence did not contest the validity of his arrest, which was declared valid by the court. The prosecution objected to bail, arguing that the man had threatened officers who were taking care of him. It noted that during the interrogation, when asked whether he regretted what he had done, the accused exer- cised his right not to answer. The prosecution acknowledged his right not to answer but ar- gued that no remorse had been expressed. It also pointed to a previous case in March involving a similar offence against a pub- lic officer, for which the accused was fined. The defence argued that the na- ture of the charges did not justi- fy keeping him under arrest and that there was no risk of tamper- ing with evidence, particularly since the incident had been cap- tured on police cameras. The court granted bail after considering the nature of the charges, the accused's criminal record and the interests of both the individual and the public. Protection orders were issued in favour of the police officers in- volved and their families. The accused was granted bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €7,000 personal guarantee. He must sign the bail book at Sliema police station every Mon- day, Wednesday and Saturday between 8am and 8pm, and is prohibited from approaching or contacting prosecution witness- es. The prosecution was led by In- spector Abigail Pomroy, while the accused was represented by lawyer Rachel Tua. Magistrate Ingrid Bianco pre- sided over the case. NICOLE ATTARD nattard@mediatoday.com.mt